From whispers in clubhouses to stunning images in golf magazines, the legend of Cabot Citrus Farms had reached me long before I set foot on its pristine fairways.
Now, standing at its grand entrance, Graham McKenzie was about to experience first-hand why this Florida golf haven is already being hailed as one of the finest in the game.
In the club bars and restaurants around the world I had heard about the new set up in the middle of Florida – Cabot Citrus Farms.
Reading Golf News online I had read about it and seen the images. A message had even come from the very highest authority within the Sunshine State that this was the place to visit.
So sure, enough I made arrangements, and I arrived at the gates. I was immediately struck by the classy entrance, complete with security that made me feel like I was entering an exclusive oasis.
The attention to detail was evident from the moment I arrived, setting the tone for what would be a top-notch golfing experience that in time will only get better.
TRUMAN SHOW
The first thing you see are the mini houses that are used to accommodate golfers who have booked an overnight experience.
To me it looked like a mini version of “The Truman Show” village, and I was half expecting somebody to pop out the front door and utter the greeting ‘In case I don’t see yaw on the golf course , good afternoon, good evening and good night’.
Perfectly manicured lawns, slate roofed cottages, white picket fences and an atmosphere of tranquillity pervaded the entire complex.
Not too sure what it would be like when the lights are low, and the boys and girls have been on the bevvy all afternoon but nice, nevertheless. It was clear that this aspect of the resort had been meticulously planned to provide guests with the comfort and luxury.
I was booked to play on the Karoo Curse so named after the call of the Sandhill Cranes that populate the course that supposedly sounds like a ‘Kaaarrooooo’.
Could have fooled me. As I stepped onto the first tee however, I was once again impressed by the design and planning that has gone into the development and design.
Once known as Pine Barrens course within the World Woods complex it was acquired by Cabot just a few short years ago. Most of the tress have been removed, the fairways widened to make it very forgiving and the landscape before me looked sculpted with lots of burrows and hills.
The fairways, designed by Kyle Franz, were a work of art – so immaculately maintained that it was often difficult to distinguish them from the greens.
This blurring of lines between fairway and green added an extra layer of complexity to the game, challenging my fairly iffy perception and decision-making.
From the back tees the course is a monster for amateur golfers at over 7,562 yards. This is fair enough if it was a par 82 course but alas its only 72.
On the plus side though, there are many choices of tee positions and a more modest 6,500 yard yellow/orange tee was the choice of myself and my playing companions from Philadelphia.
RISK AND REWARD GOLF
The fairways of Karoo are a golfer’s dream, offering multiple routes to the pins and encouraging creative play.
As I made my way through the course, I found myself constantly weighing risk and reward, considering various approaches to each hole.
The wide fairways provided a sense of freedom, but the strategic placement of bunkers and waste areas demanded precision and thoughtful shot-making. Did I have those in my skill portfolio ? Nope !
If the fairways were a canvas, the greens were a complex novel – intricate, challenging, and open to interpretation.
Like deciphering a Salman Rushdie text, reading these greens required intense concentration and a willingness to expect the unexpected which in the end became the expected.
The contours were bold and at times bewildering, with slopes that could make or break a round.
The speed of the greens added another dimension to the challenge. Downhill putts were lightning fast, requiring the lightest of touches and a steady nerve.
Conversely, uphill putts were slow, demanding a ‘ave it’ stroke and fingers crossed on the line. This contrast in speed, combined with the intricate contours, made every putt a voyage of discovery.
At this point thank goodness for the knowledgeable caddies from reading those greens to suggesting the best lines of approach on the deceptive fairways.
This level of expertise, local knowledge and banter added an extra layer of enjoyment to the round.
Beyond the course itself, the amenities at Cabot Citrus Farms were top-notch.
OFF COURSE FACILITIES
The practice facility, equipped with Trackman technology, was a golfer’s paradise, allowing for precise warm-up and analysis plus a pizza and bourbon bar for refreshment.
In addition to the Karoo Course, Cirus Farms has another eighteen-hole set up called the Roost which has much more sand and looks like but doesn’t play like a links course.
The Wedge which does what it says on the lid with nine holes of par 3 distance and finally the Squeeze which is ten holes varying from a short par 3 up to 550-yard par 5.
As I understand it plans are afoot to add to this array of courses making the choice as wide as possible and the lure of a long stay even stronger.
As the day progressed, I found myself impressed not just at the golf, but at the entire Cabot Citrus Farms experience.
The superb service was evident at every turn, from the attentive staff to the well-maintained facilities.
It was clear that no detail had been overlooked in creating this golfing haven and it is the perfect location for a group Golf trip at the top end of the market.